Avalanche of crises plaguing University education in the country has been attributed to lack of autonomy and insufficient academic freedom prevalent in Nigeria’s educational sector.
This was the submission of Prof. Kayode Olu Ijaduola during the 6th Inaugural Lecture of the Tai Solarin University of Education, Ijagun, Ogun State titled :
EDUCATION AND POLICY AT LOGGERHEADS: WHO IS TO BLAME?
The Professor of Educational Planning & Policy posited that until both the government and institutions mutually complement each other, thereby, jointly working on policies formulation coupled with quality implementation which is geared towards attaining global excellence in our ivory towers, noting that failure to achieve this, will make the standard of education in the country a mirage. He also noted that Universities should be left to pursue teaching, research as well as cross-fertilisation of ideas.
Prof. Ijaduola also blamed the government for the rot being experienced in the education sector, warning that the use of quota system for educational placement had outlived its usefulness, which he added, fuells the ember of ethnic and tribal differences, as opposed to the unity it sought to achieved.
The inaugural lecturer also took a swipe at policy makers for making teacher education a 4-year programme at the University level, therefore, suggested that the duration of the course should be made a 5-year programme so that a year can be devoted exclusively for teaching practice exercise, so as to make student teachers be well grounded in teaching and pedagogy. This proposal, he further noted, will make education graduates be at par with other professionals, thereby, earning them the required respect among their peers.
He also lent his voice to the call for graduates of Nigeria Certificate in Education (NCE) desirous of University education to be placed in 300 level.
The University don also linked the spate of mushroom Universities to political consideration, noting that most institutions have become glorified secondary schools which is as a result of poor government funding.
To circumvent these challenges, Prof. Ijaduola stated that selection of Vice Chancellors should be devoid of politicisation while teachers and lecturers should be well remunerated so as to be encouraged into the teaching profession.
